NFL

Victor Cruz says the NFL is done screwing over wide receivers with its old catch rule ... telling TMZ Sports the league finally got it right with its recent changes.

FYI -- owners unanimously approved a new, much simpler 3-step catch rule on Tuesday to determine whether a player has possession of the ball before hitting the ground or going out of bounds.

In other words, guys like Dez Bryant and Jesse James -- who've recently had huge catches called back because of the old rule -- are gonna be VERY happy.

Cruz says as much as the rule change helps, it's still not gonna help receivers actually CATCH the ball ... but says he's confident the league is doing what's best for the players.

Antonio Brown and Josh Norman are droppin' sweat in South Beach with Miami's version of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman ... smashing beach drills while their trainer unleashes hell -- and it's awesome!!

Seems like AB and Josh are goin' 100 -- and you would be too with this dude barking orders at ya ... not to mention smoking elite athletes on the sand.

At one point, he hits Antonio with a speech that's equal parts motivating and demoralizing ... before making the Steelers star pray for divine intervention at the Super Bowl.

12:15 PM PT -- Boykin released the following statement:

"I understand the Seahawks decision to release me. The story that was reported casts a bad light on the organization and on me.

I want to be clear that the story is false. The police have taken statements from the accuser, another witness and me. All of these statements confirm that I was not involved in the physical altercation.

This woman has lied about me and it has cost me my job. I know guilt by association is real. This person has fabricated a story and I am suffering the consequences.

I will let the legal system run its course and I know I will be vindicated."

10:23 AM PT -- The Seahawks just announced they've cut Trevone Boykin.

Trevone Boykin is being investigated by police for allegedly breaking his girlfriend's jaw ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Cops in Mansfield, Texas tell us they are investigating Boykin, 24, for allegedly severely injuring his longtime girlfriend, Shabrika Bailey, during a physical altercation last week.

The Seahawks QB and Bailey have dated for years.

Bailey talked to WFAA in Texas ... telling them her and Boykin were arguing over a text message when he started to choke her. She says she lost consciousness ... before waking up in a pool of her blood.

She says Boykin eventually took her to a hospital ... but fled the scene when the hospital staff questioned her about the injuries.

Law enforcement sources tell us they expect Boykin to be charged with aggravated assault -- a felony. however, there is not currently a warrant out for his arrest.

This isn't Boykin's first time in trouble with the law ... he was charged with assault after getting in a bar fight in 2015 -- 2 days before he was supposed to play in the Alamo Bowl.

He ended up getting a year probation in that case.

Warren Sapp says the battery lawsuit filed against him is a "sham" ... and he's asking a judge to throw out the suit, and slap the woman with a cash penalty.

We broke the story ... Sapp was sued in Florida by Paula Trickey, a woman who accused the HOF'er of drunkenly running her over at a Super Bowl party in 2015 ... severely injuring her.

Sapp -- who's long denied being the one who hurt Trickey -- has formally responded to the accusations ... claiming the DT wasn't even at the party where the woman was hurt.

Sapp's lawyer, Michael Christine, asked the court to declare the suit a "sham" -- essentially a case that is clearly false, and without merit -- and throw it out.

Gisele Bundchen says Tom Brady will decide when Tom Brady hangs it up, not her ... disputing past reports that she's begging him to call it quits.

Brady's supermodel wife spoke candidly about her relationship with Tom in a recent interview -- telling the Wall Street Journal she would NEVER force retirement on her man ... knowing he'd resent her for it.

“It’s not my decision to make. It’s his decision, and he knows it. It wouldn’t be fair any other way," Gisele said.

Gisele says all she wants is for Brady to be happy ... though she admits she is concerned over the lasting impact of the concussions he's suffered in his career.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is finally addressing Zay Jones' bizarre penthouse arrest ... saying it's an "unfortunate situation" ... but hopes it can be a learning experience for the young player.

We broke the story ... Zay was arrested last week after a naked, bloody altercation with his brother, Cayleb -- a Minnesota Vikings player -- at a DTLA apartment building. We're told the fight was to prevent Zay from jumping out of a hole he kicked into a 30th story window.

McDermott spoke with reporters at the NFL Coaches Breakfast in Orlando Tuesday morning about Zay's incident, saying "At the end of the day it's an unfortunate situation and somewhat disappointing. It's a situation to me that we can all take something from and learn from."

When asked if Zay could potentially be cut from the team, McDermott said "At this point, we don't foresee anything like that happening."

Zay was arrested for felony vandalism ... but was NOT charged after his family agreed to pay $20k for damages made to the apartment building.

NFL player Jeremy Lane just copped a plea deal in his January DUI case ... pleading guilty to reckless driving, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Lane was initially stopped for driving 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on January 14. When cops pulled Lane over, he had admitted to smoking weed 3 hours earlier.

At the time of the arrest, Lane had told cops he was worried people would think he was drunk, saying "This time I was more high than anything."

The 27-year-old was initially charged with DUI on March 12 ... but has now agreed to the lesser reckless driving charge.

Lane -- a current free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month --could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail, but it's unlikely he'll do any time at all. He can also be forced to cough up a maximum fine of $5,000.

11:15 AM PT -- The judge has set Michael Bennett's bond at $10,000 ... and has imposed a no-contact order between Bennett and the stadium employee.

1:30 PM PT -- Bennett has been released from Harris County Jail.

Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Bennett has just arrived for his first court appearance in Houston ... 3 days after he was charged with injuring a 66-year-old paraplegic woman at the 2017 Super Bowl.

The formal charge is "injury to the elderly" -- a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison.

The incident happened when Bennett "shoved his way on to the field" to join his brother, Martellus, who had just won the Super Bowl with the Patriots at NRG Stadium, according to the Harris Country Texas D.A.

The Houston Police Department says one of their officers witnessed Bennett push 3 stadium employees -- including the woman in the wheelchair.

The extent of the woman's injuries is unknown -- but cops say her wheelchair did not flip over due to its weight ... and she still works at the stadium.

The HPD urged Bennett to turn himself in "as soon as possible" -- but Bennett waited until now because he was out of the continental U.S., according to his lawyer, Rusty Hardin.

Victor Cruz says the NY Giants' draft decision is "easy as pie" ... telling TMZ Sports there's only one name they should call with the 2nd pick -- Saquon Barkley!!

We spoke with the ex-G-Men star about which NFL prospect he thinks will be the best fit in the Big Apple ... and he says despite the QB-heavy draft class, NY's gotta go with the Penn State superstar.

If Ndamukong Suh signs with the Rams, L.A. could rival one of the most-feared defensive lines in NFL history ... this according to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.

TMZ Sports spoke with E.D. about the team's current recruitment of the 5-time Pro Bowler ... and he says adding Suh to an already-stacked d-line would be a "great fit" for the Rams.

FYI -- the Rams have orchestrated what are considered some of the most dominant defensive lines in the history of the game ... helping lead L.A. to 7-straight division titles in the '70s.

Dickerson says adding Suh to a line with Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers can return the Rams to the days of Jack Youngblood and Merlin Olsen.

Johnny Manziel says he's 100% sure Zay Jones will totally bounce back from the bizarre, naked meltdown he had in L.A. earlier this week ... telling TMZ Sports he's sure because he knows the guy.

Jones and his brother, Caleb, were involved in a scary incident in L.A. Monday night, when video showed Zay trying to fight Caleb naked, then kicking out a 30th floor window, all while saying he wanted to meet Jesus.

We got Manziel leaving Delilah in L.A. with his wife, Bre Tiesi, and asked him if he thought Zay -- who plays for the Buffalo Bills -- would be okay.

"He'll be fine, brother. I know Zay, I know Caleb personally, he'll get it sorted out, he'll be fine."

Johnny Manziel's had it with the controversy over his quest to return to the NFL being compared to Colin Kaepernick's situation, and he's speaking out in favor of Kaep ... and himself.

The former Browns QB says he's tired of the anger people have expressed because he's being looked at by NFL scouts while Kaep continues to get the cold shoulder ... because he's just trying to turn his life around.

However, Manziel heaps praise on Kaep, saying the former Niners QB is doing amazing things and changing lives, adding ... "His impact off the field from a societal standpoint is legendary and straight admirable."

Johnny says he agrees with what many in the sports world believe -- Colin's not in the league for reasons that aren't related to football ... but lays out several reasons why he should be.

"The guy took a team to the Super Bowl and continuously wreaked havoc on the NFC West and the league."

Manziel believes Kaepernick has a lot left in the tank, but his point is this -- he can't speak for what Kaepernick wants to do with his career ... he can only focus on his own comeback.

Shaq threw an insane party in Miami during Ultra Weekend ... and it culminated in an epic dance-off with none other than Gronk!

The tallest guy in the room hosted Shaq's Fun House party which was filled with celebs, including Diplo, A-Trak, Carnage, Steve Aoki and Von Miller.

You gotta check out the part where 7'1" Shaq puts 6'6' Gronk on his shoulders.

It was a crazy-ass party, with 3,000 in attendance. We are told that before the party Shaq had an early dinner at David Grutman's new restaurant Planta, where Gronk and Mark Wahlberg ate earlier in the week.

Troy Aikman says he's all for his buddy Peyton Manning hoppin' into the FOX Sports broadcast booth ... and he's got a couple damn good reasons.

1 -- Broadcasting ... "It's a good life," Aikman says ... "It's afforded me all kinds of time with my family."

2 -- If Peyton joins the network and signs a deal worth $10 mil a year -- like has been reported -- that could mean a raise for the 3x Super Bowl champ.

So, when we saw Troy out in an L.A. rainstorm (weird, right?) ... we asked him about rumors of Peyton potentially joining FOX Sports as a broadcaster for Thursday Night Football.

"I think it'd be awesome. Peyton's a good friend."

About all those millions ... Aikman's all for Manning signing a fat deal.

"That means I'm worth a little more 'cause I'm doing more games than he is."

(FOX is broadcasting 11 TNF games ... while Troy calls a game every week of the season -- plus playoffs.)

Now you know it's gotta be real ... 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been seen with his new girlfriend at the ONE place you only take a serious relationship -- DISNEYLAND.

ICYMI -- Alexandra King posted a picture of the couple on social media back in February ... but since Jimmy has yet to put it on the 'Gram himself, people have been wondering what's going on.

Wonder no more, 'cause the couple was spotted at the Happiest Place on Earth riding rides, playing games and holding hands together ... ya know, real cute stuff.

We here at TMZ Sports would like to apologize to all the ladies (and some of you fellas) who will be heartbroken by these pictures, but in times like this you have to remember one thing.

3:22 PM PT -- Beckham Jr. vehemently denies the allegations, and issued the following statement through his attorney, Daniel Davillier:

"Ishmael Temple has expressly acknowledged in his own lawsuit that Odell Beckham, Jr. never once touched him; and yet, Mr. Beckham is being sued for an alleged altercation that definitively did not involve him at all."

In the statement, Beckham's legal team also claims Mr. Temple arrived at the party drunk, belligerent and made threats to several attendees ... at which point he was repeatedly asked to leave. They claim he was repeatedly asked to leave, and got into a fight -- but NOT with Odell -- and was then escorted off the premises.

They point out, Temple himself says Odell wasn't involved in the physical altercation -- but they claim he demanded money from Odell.

Davillier added, “This guy claims somebody assaulted him to near death, but there’s no police report, no hospital record, no evidence of an actual injury, and he asserts that Odell is responsible. This is clearly a frivolous lawsuit. We’ll see him in court.”

Odell Beckham Jr. is being sued by a guy who claims all he did was go to Beckham's house and he got the crap beaten out of him.

Ishmael Temple claims in a new lawsuit he's been friends with Beckham. Temple claims he was invited to Beckham's home in January. He says he was shaking hands with people inside the home and went for the hand of Beckham's hired muscle, Charles Puryear, when the bodyguard pulled out a gun and pointed it toward him, saying, "I bet you've never gotten shot before."

Temple says he then pulled Beckham aside to tell him what happened and says Beckham just laughed it off and told him to relax. He says 20 minutes later, when he was ready to leave, another guy punched him in the back of the head and Puryear joined in, stomping Temple.

Temple says he blacked out and woke up to kicks to his face and Beckham did not order security to stop.

He says the beating stemmed from an incident the week before, when he says Beckham's security verbally assaulted him when he sought to retrieve his phone from Beckham's house. He thinks security resents him because, "as a Hollywood social event organizer, [he] knew many of the female ladies present at Beckham's residence."

Temple says he was beaten to a pulp ... his 2 front teeth got chipped and his lip was busted. He says his earring got ripped out of his ear and his knee got messed up.

Temple says he's spent $18k just to fix his teeth.

And there's more ... Temple, an event organizer, says he's been blacklisted as a result of the fight.